Subdued atmosphere at the ACLE

Darkening clouds from the terrorist attacks in the US and the slowing of major global economies cast a shadow over the 4th All China Leather Exhibition/Moda Shanghai show held in Shanghai, September 27-29. A small number of exhibitors failed to turn up at the show and a number of Indian visitors were denied visas by the Chinese authorities. Reasons for the refusal were not provided. Despite the underlying atmosphere the aisles were busy with visitors, mainly from China, particularly on the second day and domestic companies appeared to be enjoying higher visitor numbers compared with the international exhibitors. The Chinese market, although still strong, appeared to be quieter than the previous year. One trader told Leather International: 'The Chinese have stopped buying (raw materials) in such high quantities at the moment and for us the market is nothing like what it was a year ago. I won't be able to tell if things have improved until after the show.' The organisers of the fair said that 2001 was the largest edition ever with 22,000m² of space, up 20% on last year. More than 500 companies from 27 countries/regions exhibited at the Everbright Convention and Exhibition Center (SECEC). It was the first time that the event had been held at the three-storey SECEC venue which is located in central Shanghai. Most visitors spoken to by Leather International expressed a preference for the location and layout of the former venue (Shanghai Mart) despite the SECEC being larger. The show organisers, CMP Asia, SIC and the China Leather Industry Association (CLIA) also incorporated both the ACLE and Moda Shanghai into one event for the first time. ACLE has now established itself as one of the principal leather industry exhibitions in China and acts as a good meeting place for companies wishing to do business in an ever more lucrative market. With China close to entering the WTO, the market should be more open. 'China's impending accession into the WTO makes it an open market that increases trading opportunities in international markets. In addition, China's rapidly developing leather industry and its huge market potential are all contributing factors which attract visitors to the ACLE. China's exports for major leather industry products in 2000 amounted to US$11.8 billion, up 20% on the previous year', said Madame Zhang Shu Hua, vice president, CLIA. The next edition of the All China Leather Fair/ Moda Shanghai is due to take place at the SECEC September 18-20, 2002.